Value for money in Switzerland’s largest ski area
La Tzoumaz is a small resort which shares Mont Savoleyres with its more famous neighbour Verbier. Due to its north facing slopes, La Tzoumaz enjoys a long ski season from December through to late April. The key is its direct access to the 400km of interconnected ski runs in the 4 Vallées and it is a somewhat cheaper resort than others from which to enjoy the magnificent skiing on its doorstep. The slopes in La Tzoumaz are gentle and wide so this is a great resort for beginners and with two gondolas connecting the resort to Verbier it won’t be long before you are heading over to enjoy all that the 4 Vallées has to offer.
Property in La Tzoumaz
Value hunters have known for a while that this is the place to buy if you want to enjoy 4 Vallées skiing at a fraction of the property price of its larger neighbour. Prices range from around 5,000 – 6,500 CHF per m2 according to UBS. However prices can rise to 12,000 CHF per m2. What you miss in nightlife you make up in your pocket. In the ski resort centre can be found renovated 3 or 4 bedroom apartments in older residences. Dotted below the centre are “entry-level” chalets of up to 125m2 and as you go up the hill by the ski slope are more substantial chalets, some of which are operated as rental chalets. Furthermore, La Tzoumaz is becoming a much more popular summer rental destination thanks to free pedestrian use of the 4 Vallées lift network (now included in the tourist tax), a downhill mountain-bike trail into the village, more events, more facilities in the village such as the nature trail, children’s activities, the scooter descent, and the improved footpaths.
Check out our blog: Insights on the property market in the 4 vallées
A guide to La Tzoumaz
La Tzoumaz is a small village perched high above the Rhône Valley at 1500 metres altitude. It sits on the north facing slope of Mont Savoleyres and enjoys fine views over the valley towards the Bernese Alps, the Muverans and Les Diablerets. It is a popular and lower cost alternative to Verbier, its glitzy neighbour on the other side of the mountain, and shares all of the 410km of skiing available in the 4 Vallées.
The village is small and quiet, with a supermarket open 7/7, a couple of hotels and banks. It is easily accessible, just 1 hour 45 minutes from Geneva airport, and is popular with weekenders as well as second-home owners and families. The British, Dutch and Belgians particularly appreciate its proximity to Verbier, its more affordable prices and slower pace. Accommodation is mainly private rental apartments and chalets.
La Tzoumaz ski area
The resort itself has 55km of ski pistes served by 12 ski lifts topping out at 2353 metres and offering 853 metres of vertical drop. Tree-lined runs are perfect for low visibility days. The terrain is best suited to intermediates and snowboarders. The north-facing aspect ensures a long season and often the snow conditions are better than on the Verbier side of the mountain. There is some good off piste and the powder remains untracked for much longer than in Verbier. A highlight is the Vallon d’Arbi, an unpatrolled piste just below the Lacs des Vaux. The access to Verbier and the rest of the 4 Vallées could not be easier with a gondola up to Savoleyres and then into the Verbier network.
The 4 Vallées is Switzerland’s largest ski area with 410km of ski pistes and 92 lifts. It stretches from Bruson in the West through Verbier and La Tzoumaz and over to Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon/Les Collons. It is best to spend a day in each sector to get the most out of the extensive skiing and boarding opportunities.
In La Tzoumaz there is some cross-country skiing, 13.5km of snow shoe trails and a 10km toboggan run, Western Switzerland’s longest.
Apres ski in La Tzoumaz
On your way back from Verbier stop at the Croix de Coeur for a drink with stunning views over to the Combin Massif, before skiing back down to the village, or at Etablons by the roundabout closer to the ski lift.
In the village try Le Central, T-Bar opposite the Telecabine, Boutique Hotel Papill'on or Les Trappeurs.
Eating out in La Tzoumaz
Les Trappeurs and Boutique Hotel Papill'on serve good bar snacks and larger meals. Le Central serves a great pizza and is also close to the ski lift. You can have lunch at the Maison de La Forêt and Auberge de la Tzoumaz is consistently highly rated.
On the mountain Chez Simon is a popular lunch spot serving local specialities, between the Taillay blue run and the Saxon red run.
Summer in La Tzoumaz
La Tzoumaz is situated on one of the Bisses irrigation channels. These offer 100km of mostly level paths which are perfect for walking along, through forests and meadows.
The La Tzoumaz, Verbier, Val de Bagnes region has become a mountain biker’s paradise in recent years. It has a bike park with 8 trails with jumps and ramps for various abilities, 213km of endurance trails and 500km of marked trails for e-bikes and cross-country bikes.
There is tennis and a heated swimming pool in the village. Fantastic swimming and thermal baths can be found down in the Rhône Valley at Saillons and Lavey.
For more details on Mountain Biking in La Tzoumaz, check out our blog: Where to go Mountain Biking in the Alps.
Other Destinations in the Swiss Alps:
Andermatt Champéry Crans-Montana Grimentz Flims Laax Falera Grindelwald Gstaad La Tzoumaz Nendaz Saas Fee Verbier Veysonnaz Villars